Senior Program Manager - Engineering Operations

Senior Program Manager – Engineering Operations Location: Washington, DC, United States Position Overview Senior Program Manager reports to the Manager of GCSCR HQ Real Estate Development and Management. Responsible for strategic oversight and day‑to‑day management of all building engineering and HVAC systems across a 5 million square foot commercial office portfolio, providing senior‑level direction to a team of licensed building engineers to ensure systems reliability, energy performance, occupant comfort, and regulatory compliance. Principal subject‑matter expert for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, partnering with building maintenance and project delivery teams to align engineering operations with organizational goals. Duties and Accountabilities People Management Lead the Engineering Operations Unit, comprised of engineering mechanics, operating engineers, and engineering supervisors and provide oversight of the collective work program. Provide coaching and mentoring to inspire and motivate staff to perform at their highest level. Drive a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence within the engineering team. Conduct regular performance reviews, set measurable KPIs, and implement professional development programs for all direct reports. Address performance issues quickly, consistently, and fairly. Ensure that access to appropriate training is available to all staff and establish annual development goals for all team members. Hold staff accountable for the timely delivery and quality of their work. Building Engineering and Operations Oversee all aspects of building engineering and operations for the HQ campus, ensuring uninterrupted 24/7 functionality of HVAC systems and compliance with health, safety, sustainability, and building standards. Regularly review and refine operational processes and procedures to drive continuous improvement and maximize staff efficiency. Stay informed on industry developments, emerging technologies, and evolving workplace models to integrate best practices into operational strategies. Monitor ongoing projects and initiatives within the unit to effectively balance team workload, prioritize tasks, and guarantee the consistent and timely execution of projects. Foster collaboration with other units and contractors to coordinate project activities, ensuring efficient completion and high levels of client satisfaction. Develop and monitor preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs to maximize system uptime and equipment life cycles. Budget Management Identify and prioritize capital investment needs through systematic condition assessments and life‑cycle cost analyses. Develop and manage the annual engineering operations budget and multi‑year capital plan for systems replacements and upgrades across the portfolio. Develop the plan for budget allocation for engineering operations based on yearly plan for projects using capital and overhead funding. Monitor burn rate and cash flow for engineering maintenance program and projects to balance spending and provide end‑of‑year projections to align with budget closeout. Oversee budget management as part of the project management lifecycle to ensure that budgets are closed and funding released accordingly following project completion. Contract Management Oversee the engineering services components of the Integrated Facilities Management Contract to include MEP related services provided by single outsourced provider. Manage the term contract for engineering design services at HQ to ensure capital improvement projects are designed and implemented according to industry best practices. Develop procurement strategies in collaboration with assigned project managers for term contracts utilized by the team such as architectural, engineering, and construction services, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP), indoor air quality, and present to Corporate Procurement Committees for approval. Oversee purchase orders and contracts related to indoor air quality, chemical inventories, and energy monitoring, ensuring they support the team’s business needs. Manage utility and energy services with Pepco, Washington Gas, and DC Water. Stakeholder Engagement Develop and maintain strong relationships with WBG internal units (Budget & Planning, IT, Health Services, Corporate Sustainability) to ensure necessary controls are in place to support the engineering work program. Proactively meet with clients to assess business requirements and deliver engineering services satisfactorily, prioritizing and resolving environment, health, and safety issues in collaboration with Health Services (HSD) and Security. Develop and maintain professional relationships with key clients, exercising discretion and communicating effectively to build trust at the highest levels in the organization. Respond quickly and proactively to client requests, providing professional advice and recommendations for efficient use of space to meet unit business requirements. Collaborate with all GCS Units to promote a positive and constructive working relationship, facilitating support for scheduling and implementation of projects. Work closely with other unit leaders (Building Management, Central Support, Plant, Project Management, and Strategic Planning) to provide a consolidated approach to implementing projects. Selection Criteria Education and Experience Master’s Degree in a relevant field (Architecture, Construction Management, Facilities Management, Engineering, etc.) or a combination of education and eight years of combined experience in building engineering, facilities management, or HVAC operations. Proven track record of developing and executing capital plans and managing large engineering operations budgets. Demonstrated experience managing large, multi‑building engineering portfolios (3 m+ SF). Strong communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely. Extensive hands‑on experience with large‑scale HVAC systems, chillers, cooling towers, boilers, AHUs, VAV systems, and BAS/BMS platforms. Superior level of resourcefulness, ability to work creatively with considerable autonomy, and willingness to work under pressure across the strategic to execution levels. Demonstrated strategic thinking skills and ability to engage in substantive dialogue on complex issues and corporate priorities. Experience in innovating, translating ideas into action plans, and delivering results. Competencies Analytical Thinking – Determines criteria for assessing issues and opportunities, establishes clear goals and priorities, identifies relationships between information sources, anticipates potential problems, and develops solutions. Lead and Innovate – Encourages and collaborates with others to identify, incubate, and implement relevant solutions, energizes others to continuously improve, and aligns outcomes with WBG values and mission. Deliver Results for Clients – Develops and implements solutions that achieve financial, environmental, and social sustainability, recommends solutions, and holds self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes. Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries – Engages others in open dialogue, incorporates viewpoints, leverages team expertise, and makes decisions with a WBG corporate perspective. Create, Apply and Share Knowledge – Shares best practices and lessons learned, and disseminates knowledge to strengthen internal and external client solutions. Make Smart Decisions – Applies critical thinking, seeks inputs, evaluates risk, anticipates short‑ and long‑term implications, commits to a decision, and takes action. WBG Culture Attributes Sense of urgency: anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders. Thoughtful risk‑taking: challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact. Empowerment and accountability: empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results. Benefits The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Equal Opportunity Statement We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. #J-18808-Ljbffr World Bank Group